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Top Bass Guitars

#23
I am a 5 string player but I also like slim necks ... So my favorite basses are the ones that I buils and modify in my workshop.

I have liked Rickenbackers since 1973. But the 4003s5 had the string too close together. So I customize my Rics to have 5 string and a wider spacing.

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The jazz bass is a classic design. The 4 string model has a neck that is too slim and the 5 string model is too wide. So I take a 4 string p-bass neck and put 5 strings on it. That gives me a 5 string jazz with a slim neck.

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The p-bass is also a classic design. But the 5 string model has too fat of a neck. The 4 string neck is perfect for 5 strings.

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Fenderbirds are a classic frankensteined bass. And below is my 5 string version.

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#27
Jerzy Drozd Legend VI fretless - I've never played another fretless that sounded so organic and expressive; almost like a human singing voice. Ebow-like sustain. Playability, ergos, and workmanship are state-of-the-art. (There's a used one up for sale at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - very rare! The complex original Legend design was recently discontinued in favor of a much simpler version.) I reviewed mine here: http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1257/cat/all

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Old neck-through F-Basses - I'm not sure why, but George's pricey and comparatively soft and polite-sounding new bolt-ons just don't compare to his late 80's/early 90's neck-throughs for raw growl, presence and punch.

Pre-Gibson Tobias Basic/Classic/Signature - Warm, smokey, woody, organic, mid-complex and unique sounding. Top workmanship and great ergos. Amazing bang for the buck, even at today's "vintage" prices. A little heavy, but very well-balanced. MTD USAs are damn fine basses too, but nothing cuts like the old pre-Gibs. The Gibson copies I've played weren't even close.

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Bee Basses - Excellent build quality, ergos, and balance. Heavyweight tone in a lightweight instrument that practically plays itself. Fred's innovative, modern, outside-the-box design aesthetic is a real breath of fresh air amid the tired legion of me-too Fender-clones.

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Ken Lawrence C-Brase II fretless VI - Finally had a chance to play one. Wish I could afford it :bawl:. A work of musical art by a true master luthier. This one is at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

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#28
unclejane said:
uh oh.... well ok, I'll bite:

These are only the ones I've actually played, I assume we shouldn't list the GAS-only models:

4) The new $280 Fender jazz fretless (can't remember its exact model name at the moment. The real cheap indonesian one with the plastic fingerboard)

LS
Click to expand...

I think you're referring to the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless bass (which is their version of the Jaco fretless, essentially):

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It has an ebonol fingerboard, which I have to say I actually prefer to the ebony fingerboard on the regular Fender fretless. Back when I bought it, my intention was to have it be a nice cheap way to start out with a fretless, but since then I've liked it too much to even worry about buying a more expensive fretless.
 
#35
My Top 5 list goes like this:

1) Dingwall (Prima Artist, Z1, Z2, Z3, SJ4 and SJ 5, AB I and AB II)
2) Ritter (Roya being my favorite)
3) Ken Lawrence Brase I
4) Status (Empathy S2, Stealth, Buzzard I)
5) Fodera (mainly the Emperor line for me)
 
#37
Never had the chance to play some top basses as MTD, Ritter or Alembic, but from the ones I`ve played:

- Warwick Streamer Stage II
- Pre Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray
- Peavey Cirrus
- Zon Sonus Special fretless
- Fender Jazz MIA
 

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